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This article reports on the first occurrence of mango dieback disease caused by the fungus Lasiodiplodia brasiliense in Côte d'Ivoire. Surveys conducted in 2020 revealed the presence of mango dieback symptoms, including leaf, twig, and branch drying, as well as tree death. Isolation and analysis of the fungus confirmed its identity as Lasiodiplodia brasiliense. The pathogenicity of the fungus was also demonstrated through a greenhouse experiment. This study highlights the need for further research to understand the variation among isolates and develop effective control strategies. The research was funded by the Partnership for Skills in Applied Sciences, Engineering, and Technology and received support from the Fondation Louis Omer DECUGIS and the Société Internationale d'Importation. [Extracted from the article]

Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess the feasibility of a national pre‐exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) programme using smartphone‐compatible data collection. Methods: This was a multicentre cohort study (NCT03893188) enrolling individuals interested in PrEP in Switzerland. All centres participate in the SwissPrEPared programme, which uses smartphone‐compatible data collection. Feasibility was assessed after centres had enrolled at least one participant. Participants were HIV‐negative individuals presenting for PrEP counselling. Outcomes were participation (number enrolled/number eligible), enrolment rates (number enrolled per month), retention at first follow‐up (number with first follow‐up/number enrolled), and uptake (proportion attending first visit as scheduled). Participant characteristics were compared between those retained after baseline assessment and those who dropped out. Results: Between April 2019 and January 2020, 987 individuals were assessed for eligibility, of whom 969 were enrolled (participation: 98.2%). The median enrolment rate was 86 per month [interquartile range (IQR) 52–137]. Retention at first follow‐up and uptake were both 80.7% (782/969 and 532/659, respectively). At enrolment, the median age was 40 (IQR 33–47) years, 95% were men who have sex with men, 47% had a university degree, and 75.5% were already taking PrEP. Most reported multiple casual partners (89.2%), previous sexually transmitted infections (74%) and sexualized drug use (73.1%). At baseline, 25.5% tested positive for either syphilis, gonorrhoea or chlamydia. Participants who dropped out were at lower risk of HIV infection than those retained after baseline assessment. Conclusions: In a national PrEP programme using smartphone‐compatible data collection, participation, retention and uptake were high. Participants retained after baseline assessment were at considerable risk of HIV infection. Younger, less educated individuals were underrepresented in the SwissPrEPared cohort. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: In North America, the prevalence of nonmedical prescription opioid use (NMPOU), and morbidity and mortality related to prescription opioid analgesics (POAs) has risen sharply. Epidemiologic studies have suggested a high prevalence of mental health and pain comorbidities in NMPOU samples. Given the potential importance for interventions, a narrative review was conducted on studies reporting data on the co-occurrence of NMPOU with mental health problems and pain symptoms in general, treatment, or special populations.Method: A search of MEDLINE, PubMed, PsycINFO, and Web of Science using defined search terms yielded 74 studies on NMPOU and mental health and (or) pain. Thirty-nine studies published between 1997 and 2009 were included in the review-based on the data they provided on NMPOU and mental health and pain comorbidities.Results: Our review found strong associations between NMPOU and the comorbidities of interest. Associations between NMPOU and mental health were strongest for depression (OR range 1.2 to 4.3) followed by anxiety disorders (OR range 1.2 to 3.0) in general and treatment populations. The prevalence of pain ranged from 14.5% to 61.5% in general, treatment, and street drug user samples reporting NMPOU.Conclusions: The extensive associations observed between NMPOU and mental health and pain comorbidities suggest that effective preventive or treatment interventions for NMPOU must consider and attend to these comorbidities. As POAs are widely available and used in North America, POAs may increasingly be used in nonmedical ways for pain or mental health problems not effectively diagnosed or treated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The automated recognition of critical clinical events by physiological monitors is a challenging task exacerbated by a lack of standardized and clinically relevant threshold criteria. The objective of this investigation was to develop consensus for such criteria regarding the identification of three ventilatory events: disconnection or significant leak in the anesthesia circuit, decreased lung compliance or increased resistance, and anesthetic overdose from inhaled anesthetics.Methods: We individually administered a structured interview to five expert anesthesiologists to gain insight into the cognitive processes used by clinicians to diagnose ventilatory events and to determine the common heuristics (rules of thumb) used in clinical practice. We then used common themes, identified from analysis of the structured interviews, to generate questions for a series of web-based questionnaires. Using a modified Delphi technique, iterative questionnaire administration facilitated rapid consensus development on the thresholds for the specific rules used to identify ventilatory events.Results: A threshold for 75% agreement was described for each scenario in a healthy ventilated adult. A disconnection or significant leak in the anesthesia circuit is diagnosed with peak airway pressure (< 5 cm H2O or change of 15 cm H2O), ETCO2 (0 mmHg, 40% drop, or value below 10 mmHg for a duration of 20 sec), and inspired-expired volume difference (300 mL). Increased resistance or decreased lung compliance is diagnosed with high peak airway pressure (40 cm H2O or a 20 cm H2O change), asymmetry of capnogram, and changes in measured compliance or resistance. Anesthetic overdose from inhaled anesthetics is diagnosed with high end-tidal anesthetic agent concentration (2 MAC in a patient less than 60 yr of age or 1.75 MAC in a patient over 60 yr of age), low systolic blood pressure (below 60 mmHg), and low modified electroencephalogram (bispectral index or entropy).Conclusion: This investigation has provided a set of consensus-based criteria for developing rules for the identification of three critical ventilatory events and has presented insight into the decision heuristics used by clinicians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. To improve the quality of resin restorations, studies are necessary not only of the physical properties of materials but also of the cavity geometry. We have evaluated marginal microleakage for two types of photo-curing composite resin applied to cavities with different marginal structures. Sample and methods. The test materials were 91 extracted upper primary molars. The two composite resins used in this experiment were Liner Bond II (LBII) and Photo Clearfil A (PCA). A class 1 cavity was created in each tooth; the cavity configuration was a round bevel, a straight bevel and a butt joint. The tooth was then restored with each composite resin. Each tooth was exposed to thermal cycles, followed by immersion in 0·2% basic fuchsin solution. Three sections, through the mesial, central and distal areas of each tooth were taken. The penetration of the dye was examined with a stereoscopic microscope. The sites of observation for examination of microleakage were awarded scores of between 0 and 7. Results. LBII–among the three marginal forms, absence of leakage was observed most frequently in the straight bevel group followed by the round bevel and the butt joint groups, in the mesial and distal sections. In the central section, the straight bevel did not show any scores of 0, 6 or 7. PCA–an absence of leakage in the mesial section occurred most frequently for the round bevel group. However, the absence of leakage in the central and distal sections was most frequent for the straight bevel group. Microleakage of the central section (with scores from 1 to 7) was frequently lower than that for the mesial and distal sections. Scores of 5 and above in the central section were observed only in the butt joint group. The frequency and mean score of leakage were clearly higher in LBII than in PCA, with one significant exception. For both composite resins, the butt joint group showed higher-mean scores of leakage than did either the round or straight... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose To evaluate the safety and efficacy of pneumatic trabeculoplasty (PNT), a non invasive treatment to lower intraocular pressure (IOP), in patients with primary open angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension under prostaglandin monotherapy. Methods 38 patients were enrolled from may 2009 to october 2010 to determine the IOP lowering effects of PNT. All the eyes had been diagnosed primary open angle glaucoma (87%) or ocular hypertension. PNT was performed in one or both eyes at day 0, 7, 90 and 180. Assessments were peformed at day 0,7, 45, 90 and 180 including visual acuity, IOP by goldmann tonometer, slit lamp examination and optic disc evaluation. Safety was adressed at all visits. A 15% reduction of IOP defined responder patients. Results Mean IOP before PNT was 23.21 +/‐ 2,92 mmHg. 57 eyes were treated and analysed. All patients completed 6 months of follow up. After PNT, a statistically significant reduction of IOP occured at all visits: at days 7, 45, 90, 180, IOP was 19,92+/‐5,05, 19,32+/‐5,22, 18,89+/‐5,00, 17,76+/‐4,81 mmHg (p<0,05). The IOP decrease was up to 23,4% at day 180. The rate of responder patients was 54,4% after one week and 76,4% at day 180. After 6 months, 76% patients had IOP reduction more than 15%, 69% more than 20%, 51% more than 25% and 46% more than 30%. Side effects such as conjunctival hyperhaemia, subconjunctival hemorrhage and corneal epithelium disorder occured. No significant complications were observed. Conclusion PNT seems to be a safe technique allowing a significant IOP reduction with prostaglandin monotherapy. It could be helpful especially in patients having troubles in following their local treatment correctly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]